So two days before my big trip to Utah last week, one of the footbeds falls out of my 2010 Ride RX bindings and is long gone. I scrambled to find a replacement but no dice. I couldn't risk wasting time in Utah dealing with it so i bought some new bindings locally.

I got some new Burton Cartels. The current model that's up on their website now. Not the ESTs, just normal mounting discs.

So i rode them for 3 days in Utah. They are comfortable and the ratchets and toe cups are fantastic. The highbacks feel fine. However, they feel soft on the toe edge. Like the ankle straps aren't giving me enough support. Does this make sense? Are the Ride RX that stiff?

Since i used the Cartels for three days i can't return them. i'm debating if i should find a new stiffer binding or just go back to the old Rides. I now have replacement footbeds from Ride so i'm good to go. I really like the ratchets and strap comfort on the Cartels though.

So the Cartel discs have three positions for mounting the binding front to back. I had to mount them so the binding is in the "toeward" most hole in order to center my size 13 boot in them. I mounted one Cartel leaving one Ride installed so that i could match things up. I got them dialed in pretty much spot on how my old Rides were mounted in front/back, stance, binding angle, etc. Once i got the highback angle dialed in, the fit feels pretty much the same.

I do notice how the Cartels have this lateral flex built into the disc. Sort of strange.

Basically riding these makes me feel like my boots aren't tight enough when i'm on the toe edge. I think that's purely a function of ankle strap but i'm not sure.

There are three points where you can mount the straps to the binding. Try moving yours to the holes furthest up the heelcups. That will pull the strap back more than down and should fix your toeside woes.

Good thinking, i tried that on the third day. It did help a bit, but its still not the same as the Rides.

Basically i'm feeling like i'm using more ankle/calf muscle on the toeside and my ankle gets more compressed when say i hit a bump or something. On the Rides i could pretty much throw my weight onto the straps and relax. ha

I'm also having some lace trouble with my Salomon F22 boots so maybe that's part of the problem.

The Cartels are so comfy and the ratchets are so nice that i think i'll stick with them. I just want to make sure i have them optimized as much as possible for stiffness and for my needs.

I'll put the Rides up for sale soon. Brand new footbeds plus a spare set!